Using an inefficient pump is also a problem in green house gas generation. Just like with our cars, even though 4 or fewer cylinders will get you there comfortably, six and eights are preferred. There really is no good reason, but people buy them anyway. Pond pumps are also able to do the job more efficiently than utility or sump pumps, and are designed for the job they do. You can get there real fast and spend a lot on the gas to do that, or you can get there fast enough, and spend half as much on gas. Same with water pumps. You can spend a lot of money to move the water, or you can spend less. You can risk polluting your water with oil, or you can get a safe pump. Any of the primary options creates bigger problems for the planet. I try to live efficiently. And hope others will too, as it is less expensive personally, and more healthy for everyone in the long run. Being able to afford to do something wrong, doesn't make it right. If you can't find the right way to spend your money, give it to someone that can. Oh, in the interest of full disclosure, I am not perfect, that is god's business. I am simply trying to be excellent! (Though still FAR from that!) I smoke, I drink, I use weed killer, I use bug killer, I drive a car, I have an OLD septic system, I have some incandescent light bulbs, and I have a chlorinated swimming pool. But, I smoke and drink less than I used to. I follow the directions on the killer cans, and use them now as a LAST resort, I drive a car that gets 38 mi/gal, have compact florescents in my most used fixtures, and want to convert the pool to a pond, just couldn't sell the Mrs. on it. Yes, I have a long way to go, but I am better now than ever, and encourage others to try to improve as well. Little bits here and there from everyone, ad up to big bits that are good for everyone. So please, use the most efficient pump you can. -TT -TT

Well, if no bottom drain works for you, that's good. But my pond is 9000 gallons, heavly stocked, I go through 40 pounds of food in 5 weeks, and I NEVER have to vacuum. My lily pond is only 3000 gallons, lots of plant debris, lots of fish, and I never have to vacuum that one either. It is also a proven scientific fact that the debris sitting in the bottom of the pond rotting provides breeding grounds for harmful bacteria and many types of parasites. It just makes good sense to me that a healthier environment for fish mean keeping the pond bottom free of all debris, all the time. Once every 6 months means the fish are bathing in their own rotted feces for 6 months at a time. Yuck.

rb, You need to know how much water you needs to provide your plants through their life cycle (max water demand). You can do this by deciding the amount and then determine how many irrigation emitters or heads you will use. Each emitter uses up some pressure and flow. Emitter literature will tell you the flow rate for a specific system design pressure pressure. Add up all the emitters flow rates add 20% and that is you pump flow rate. If your system's emitters uses a certain pressure(psi) to give the flow rate you want then the pump needs to meet that pressure(psi) plus 20% plus vertical elevation difference(in feet) from pump outlet to flower beds times 0.5 for conversion to psi. That is about it, good luck. There is always trial and error. Look up 1/6 or 1/2 hp pumps. I would go will the larger size in case you want to expand. Larger flow rate pump just means shorter run time to irrigate. JMHO Aloha

There are far better sump pumps than HD sells available. Try a pedestal type with a US made motor. Having an oversize pump can cause failures from excessive short cycles.